Puzzle.



Patsnted Aug. 13, l90l.

R. SCHELDSKE.

P U Z ZL E (Application tiled Apr. 4, 1901:)

(No Model.)

@House/13 TH: Nonms nella co, mormnwa. wumsmn, n. c

NiTnn STaTns lnTnixT @amera ROBERT SCHEL'OSKE, OF ST. MARYS, KANSAS,

PUZZLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part 0f Letters Patent No. 680,282, dated August 13, 1901. Application filed April 4, 1901. Serial No. 54,345. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT ScHELosxn, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Marys, in the county of Pottawatoinie and State of Kansas, have invented new and useful Improvements in Puzzle-Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to puzzle-boxes, the object being to provide a box adapted to contain pencils, matches, or other small articles, so constructed that it can only be opened to expose the contents thereof when its locking devices are manipulated in a 'predetermined manner.

The invention consists of a box pivotally secured within a casing which serves as a closure for the box, in combination with locking devices of novel construction for preventing the opening of the box except by an authorized party or when the locking devices are manipulated in a particular manner.

The construction of the improvement will be fully described hereinafter, in connection with the accompanying drawingsvhich form part of this specication, and its novel features will be defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a central vertical longitudinal section of a box embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of one end of the box. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section of the pivoted end of the box; and Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section of one end of the box, showing the same turned up to cause the ball employed to lock the box to drop into a recess provided.to receive it.

The box is preferably-of rectangular form, consisting of parallel sides 1 and bottom 2 and closed at one end by a cross-piece 3 and at its opposite end by a block 4, the top being left open.

The inclosing casing of the box consistsof -a top 5, a bottom G, and an end 7, the sides and one end of the casing being open.

From the end 3 of the box projects a knob 8, adapted to enter an opening 9 in the end 7 of the casingA to secure the box thereto, the

outer edge of said opening being iiared, as.

shown in Fig. l, to admit the finger to push The knob inward to release the box, as will be explained more fully hereinafter.

The disconnected ends of the top and bottoin of the casing are formed with registering in Figs. l and 3.

circular openings 10 to receive a pivot-bolt 11, said bolt also passing through a vertical opening l2, formed in the block 4, and constituting the means for pivotally securing the box within the casing. The bolt 1l is rectangular in crosssection, but is formed adjacent to its ends with collars 13 and 14, which form circular bearings within the openings 10 of the casing. The upper end of the bolt is formed with a knob 15 for turning the bolt, and below said knob is provided a disk 16, which serves as a washer and bears upon its upper surface a dial-index, as shown in Fig. 2, the radial divisions of which are adapted to register with a gage-mark 17 on the top of the casing. The lower end of the bolt 1l is secured by a washer 1S, held by a screw 19,

In addition to the circular opening 12 the block 4 is also provided with a vertical recess 20, arranged parallel to the opening 12 and communicating therewith by a contracted passage 21 of sufficient width to receive the bolt 1l when the latter is so turned as to present its-narrow edge thereto, as shown in Fig. 4, but too narrow to permit movement of the block 4 when the bolt is in the position shown l/Vithin the recess 2O is placed a ball 22, which when in the position shown in Fig. 1 will prevent movement of the box within its casing even when the narrow edge of the bolt is opposite the passage 2l.

The block 4 is formed with a pocket 23 communicating with the circular recess 20, and before the block 4 can be moved longitudinally of the casi-ng upon the bolt 11 to allow the box to be opened it is necessary to so tilt the box that the ball will drop into the pocket. When this is accomplished and the bolt is turned until. its narrow edge is opposite the contracted passage 2l, the box may be moved longitudinally by pressing upon the knob 8. This releases the knob 8, after which the box may be swung upon the pivotbo-lt 11, thus exposing the contents of the box.

It will be seen that two distinct safeguards are provided against a surreptitious opening of the boxe-viz. the bolt must be rst turned to present its narrow edge to the passage 21 and then the box must be manipulated to cause the ball to drop into the pocket 23.

The device is designed for use as a safe IOC receptacle for penoils, and When embodied in smaller boxes to contain matches it affords an interesting puzzle.

I claim- 1. A box having an open top, in combination with a easing open at its sides and one end and inelosing the box; a block closing one end of the box and formed with parallel vertical openings connected by a narrow passage; and a pivot-bolt extending through openings in said easing and block and adapted when properly adjusted, to permit the movement of the block thereon.

2. A box having an open top in combination with a casing open at its sides and one end, and inclosing the box; a blook Closing one end of 'the box and formed with parallel vertical openi'n'g'sbe of which is formed with a pocket; a pivot-bolt extending through openings in said casing and block, and adapted when properly adjusted. to permit the movement of lthe block thereon, and a ball Within one of the openings in the block and adapted todrop into said pocket.

3. A box having an open top, in Combination with a easing open at its sides and one end and inolosing the box and having its end Wall formed with an opening; a knob projecting from the box into -said opening; a block closing one end of the box; and formed with parallel vertical openings connected by a contracted passage one of said openings having a pocket; a pivot bolt extending through openings in said easing and block and adapted when properly adjusted to permit the movement of the block thereon; and a ball within one of the block-openings and adapted to drop into said pocket.

rIn testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

ROBERT SCHELQSKE. lVitnesses:

A. B. VAUGHAN, JNo. GRAHAM. 

